(Courtesy of BOOM! Studios)
An entertaining collection, WWE SummerSlam 2017 Special (BOOM! Studios) delivers the fun and soap opera theatrics you would expect in the wrestling ring. With a solid lineup of talented writers and artists, this one-shot special issue is a surefire knockout of short stories!
Set throughout WWE history, each exciting tale celebrates the industry’s most-watched annual summer tradition. Take a trip to the past when “Macho King” Randy Savage took on Dusty Rhodes. The high stakes continue with 1991’s matchup between The Natural Disasters and The Bushwhackers. The Undertaker confronts Mankind in 1996’s Boiler Room Brawl. In the last tale, Finn Bálor has his showdown with Seth Rollins as they wrestle to become the first-ever Universal Champion.
Here are 5 reasons why you should read WWE SummerSlam 2017 Special:
5) The Lineup!
Get your FIRST LOOK at @boomstudios‘ spectacular @SummerSlam 2017 special featuring cover art by @robschamberger! https://t.co/8oPAuVtXOU
— WWE (@WWE) August 5, 2017
The writers include Box Brown, Ryan Ferrier, Ross Thibodeaux, Derek Fridolfs, and Aaron Gillespie. Among the artists are Daniel Bayliss, Clay McCormack, Rob Guillory, Selina Espiritu. There are also variant covers by Robbi Rodriguez, Rob Schamberger, and Jim Rugg.
4) The Standout!
My personal favorite is Ferrier and McCormack’s In The Mandible of Madness. I loved how the premise puts the Undertaker and Mankind in a creepy horror tale. Ferrier presents Mick Foley’s twisted persona with such dark humor. McCormack depicts a hellish setting for Mankind as he wanders around a labyrinth of dank sewer tunnels.
3) The Trippy Artwork!
WWE SUMMERSLAM 2017 is out on Wed, feat. a 16pg Mankind+Undertaker story by @DeadMeatComic @deezoid @CampbellLetters and myself. It’s great. pic.twitter.com/EoArg4d5pJ
— Ryan Ferrier (@ryanwriter) August 7, 2017
If you love his work on Chew, then you’re going to love Guillory’s animated art style here in The New Day’s Optimistic Odyssey Part 5. Guillory drops in the geeky pop culture nods from Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter throughout his illustrations. You’re going to enjoy this trippy short thanks to Taylor Wells’ vibrant colors.
2) An Awesome Throwback!
I really enjoyed how the first installment started off with Brown and Bayliss’ I Dined And Dined With Kings And Queens! Brown’s dialogue for “Macho Man” Randy Savage is just spot-on! You’re going to be imitating Savage’s ruff and loud voice as you read the dialogue!
1) A Stellar Knockout!
I made this cover for @WWE @Summerslam 2017 special. Preview and info here: https://t.co/ZWhJqXr8Ap pic.twitter.com/j3oMAPqR4g
— jimruggart (@jimruggart) August 5, 2017
WWE SummerSlam 2017 Special is one of those special collections where each tale perfectly fits the mold. Definitely worth a read, this issue is equal parts wrestling and laugh-out-loud hijinks.
Rating:
Three out of four emojis
WWE SummerSlam 2017 Special arrives in stores on August 8, 2017.
– By Jorge Solis